$100K Jetpack To Hit Retail Shelves Late 2011

It's been two decades now since The Rocketeer soared into U.S. theatres and we're still walking, biking, and driving to work. But not all is lost: so long as you can come up with $100,000, you might soon be able to propel yourself to and from the office with a Martin Aircraft jetpack.

Our hopes of zig-zagging through the sky are up this week after word that the Martin Aircraft company recently conducted a successful field test of its jetpack prototype.

The real victory during the test, however, was the demonstration of the jetpack's emergency parachute. The chute worked exactly as it was designed: a crucial step for the jetpack's slow march to retail. (Source: pcmag.com)

Device Uses Water-Cooled Piston Engine

One might be surprised to learn that the Martin Aircraft jetpack doesn't actually use a man-mounted jet engine to propel its user into the sky. Instead, it employs a water-cooled piston engine that rapidly propels air downward, sending the real-life rocketeer upward.

So far, Martin Aircraft has conducted successful tests of the 250-pound, carbon fiber jetpack, although we're told no flights have lasted longer than seven minutes. Let's hope your commute is a short one!

In practical terms, this makes Martin's jetpack more of a high-tech, one-man hot air balloon than a real-life Iron Man suit. (Source: dvice.com)

Jetpack Expected to Hit Retail Late 2011

Sadly, the Martin Aircraft jetpack and other devices like it have a ways to go before the commoner can use them for everyday tasks.

Despite its limitations, it's expected the Martin Aircraft jetpack will be ready for retail -- and thus, lots of short flights -- later this year. (Source: pcmag.com)